What do you think of when you think of zinc? A zinc bucket, gutter or zinc ointment?

Zinc is added in many products, think of skin creams against eczema or acne, baby products against diaper rash (zinc oxide) and in many sunscreens.

Zinc is a biological and essential trace element and is the second most abundant trace element in the body. And it is especially an auxiliary in many biological processes, including DNA, RNA and protein making.

All cells in our bodies need zinc. Zinc is essential for the activity of more than 300 enzymes (which turn on a variety of biochemical reactions) and more than 2,000 reactions on genes. Zinc is also involved in communication between cells. In the brain, zinc plays a role in nerve impulse transmission and neuroplasticity (the ability of brain tissue to repair itself and make new connections). In addition, zinc ions have direct antimicrobial activity.

Zinc in food

Zinc in food is found mainly in meat, poultry, sea foods (especially the oyster contains a lot of zinc), dairy products, (unrefined) grains, beans, nuts and seeds. Particularly protein-rich foods (of animal origin) contain a lot of zinc.

The body does not have a specialized zinc storage system, so you must get enough of it. Insufficient zinc intake leads to symptoms within just a few weeks such as: fatigue, skin rashes, increased susceptibility to infection, decreased sense of smell and taste, lack of appetite, hair loss, mental and emotional problems and night blindness, among others.

Note that the above symptoms do overlap with other causes as well, so may not always be due to zinc deficiency.

Additional zinc needed 

Many people are unknowingly deficient in zinc. And there are also groups that would do well to take extra zinc anyway, such as:

• Smokers, because cadmium (from cigarettes) takes the place of zinc on receptors (binding sites).
• Regular consumption of alcohol, as ethanol interferes with zinc absorption and increases zinc excretion.
• Vegetarians, due to lower zinc availability from plant foods. This can amount to a 50% higher requirement.
• Elderly people; zinc absorption is reduced at a certain age.
• Pregnant women and breastfeeding; zinc requirement is increased.
• People with gastrointestinal and other diseases; such as gastrointestinal surgery and digestive disorders (such as Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's disease and short bowel syndrome).

Through diet, it is practically impossible to take in too much zinc. This is really only possible if you take zinc tablets at too high a dose every day for a long time. Too much zinc can cause nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. A long-term overdose of zinc can cause copper deficiency, anemia and reduced resistance.

Zinc supplement 

It is important that if you take a supplement, it consists of an easily absorbable zinc. We have chosen zinc methionine. Our zinc is linked to the protein l-methionine, so the body recognizes it and absorbs it more easily. It is a lozenge tablet, so the absorption is through the cheek mucosa to the bloodstream, eliminating the need to pass through the intestines and liver. Discover the zinc supplement now!